The evil inclination with its three layers resembles an almond. On the outside, there's a course shell. Once you break through that, there's a thin husk that clings to the meat of the nut. Yet on the inside, there's a fine biochemical – glycoside – that's dangerous, because the body breaks it… [Read more...]

People on high levels of emuna and observance of Torah rise to a level where their evil inclination is a holy angel. On a very high level, we find lofty type of angel that fought with Jacob. A similar angel pounced on King David, in the episode of… [Read more...]

King David reviews the magnificent miracles that Hashem did for the Jewish Nation since the dawn of its history. Psalm 105 is also the certificate of birthright that Hashem grants His chosen people – the deed to the Land of Israel. … [Read more...]

There are times when a person suddenly contemplates a desire to get closer to Hashem. At that cherished moment, he becomes an upright individual. But, as he or she climbs to a higher spiritual level, the opposition suddenly appears and the battle… [Read more...]

Today's Psalms are a cure for body and soul and especially cogent for healing the sick. A mere superficial look at the beauty of the Almighty's creations is sufficient to gratify the soul. A closer look makes the soul break out in joyous song. Let's take a moment to contemplate Hashem's… [Read more...]

Hashem is always with us, wherever we are. But there's a chance - once a year during Succoth - to be with Him. What's the difference? It's tremendously different when Hashem is with us in our domain than when we're with Him in His… [Read more...]

Forgiveness brings up some sticky questions: "How can I forgive someone who’s done me wrong when part of me doesn’t want to forgive?" When you don't forgive, the wound of whatever damage someone did to you festers, and turns into negativity that ruins your day, or even your… [Read more...]

The thought of Yom Kippur doesn't usually bring joy to people's hearts. Why? They see it as a day of torture, deprived of drinking, eating and fun. They're right. It is a day of torture, for the evil… [Read more...]

The call of the shofar is the hallmark of the most important events in Jewish history, from our ancient past to the future. Happy is the nation that knows the call of the shofar. Today's lesson explains the significance of blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashana.… [Read more...]

Just as ants in the kitchen are attracted to sugary substances, the dark-side forces will try to attach themselves to, feed off of and hijack our emuna. We therefore must guard our emuna like the royal guard in Buckingham Palace guards the Hope… [Read more...]

In my old army days, I was on a lone navigational maneuver at night deep in the Negev Desert. No one was around. I suddenly heart a scream in the night, like a young person in dire distress. It was unnerving, to say the least. Then I saw the rustling in the branches of a lone acacia tree not far… [Read more...]

Imagine that during Rosh Hashanah of last year, an angel world would suddenly appear and reveal everything that would happen this year. What would you do if you had advanced knowledge of the Hamas onslaught on Simchat Torah, the hostages and the impending… [Read more...]